“If I can do this, what can’t I do?”
Army veteran and Team HOPE athlete Michael Villagran lives by that mantra. Known for his energy, positivity, and ability to lift others up, Michael has become a motivator to everyone around him. His outlook is simple: You can achieve anything, as long as you’re willing to work hard for it.
But his journey to resilience wasn’t easy.
From Battlefield Injury to Finding Purpose
In 2012, while serving in the Army, Michael’s life changed forever when he stepped on an IED. The blast cost him his leg, and nearly his spark for life.
“I didn’t think I could do sports ever again,” Michael remembers. “Back then, I really didn’t see a future for myself.”
Like many wounded veterans, Michael faced not only the physical challenge of recovery but also the emotional toll of adjusting to a new way of life. What helped turn things around was discovering the world of adaptive sports.
“If it wasn’t for adaptive sports, I don’t know if I’d still be here today,” he says. “It has phenomenally changed my life.”
Adaptive sports provided more than fitness, they gave him confidence, community, and a new purpose.
Discovering Hope For The Warriors
A few years later, Michael’s girlfriend, Gabi Cha, introduced him to Hope For The Warriors. Michael, it was another turning point. “I love organizations like this because they care about us,” Michael says. “Not only just caring about us but also helping us in our journey, whatever that may be.”
Through Team HOPE, Michael found opportunities to compete, connect, and inspire alongside his loved ones. At the San Antonio Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, Michael and Gabi hand-cycled together while their daughter, Allyssa, ran her own 10K, turning the event into a true family celebration of resilience and strength.
“It’s just really great to know everything that HOPE offers,” Michael shares. “It’s not just running. It’s so many different things, and I think what they’re doing is amazing. It’s something that benefits not only veterans but also their families.”
Medals, Memories, and Motivation
Today, Michael continues to collect medals, memories, and motivation through his athletic journey with Team HOPE. Each race reminds him and those around him, that challenges don’t define us. What matters is how we rise from them.
Michael’s story highlights the power of adaptive sports for veterans, the importance of military family support, and the life-changing impact of organizations like Hope For The Warriors. From the battlefield to the finish line, he proves every day that with hard work, community, and HOPE, anything is possible.
Ready to turn challenges into triumphs like Michael?
Join Team HOPE and discover the power of adaptive sports, community support, and programs designed to help veterans and military families thrive. Whether you’re running, hand-cycling, or cheering from the sidelines, your journey starts here. Connect to Services today and be part of something bigger.
